Today's readings are Judges 6.25-40 and Acts 15.6-21.
As we read in Judges today we see yet again that Gideon is, in fact, very humble in his own estimation. God calls him to stir up the community by destroying the altar to Baal and the Asherah in his community. He does so, though at night, out of fear of the rest of the community. This brings opposition from the townspeople, but they decide to let Baal reap vengeance on Gideon. In other words, if Baal is really a god, he will take care of himself. The whole situation, of course, unnerves Gideon. We'll return to that in a moment.
What are we to make of the offering that Gideon makes on the altar? He has torn down the altar to Baal and on the rubble, he makes an offering of two of his father's bulls, a burnt offering to the Lord. This move shows that God has overcome his enemy. He has reduced the enemy to rubble and is erecting a monument to his victory on the site itself. This practice has continued throughout history. We can see it in architecture, where parts of buildings conquered by one culture are used to construct the conquerors' buildings. For instance, there's a famous cathedral in Spain which has a Moorish minaret inside the dome, left intact, but covered by the victorious Christians. Likewise, Islamic people who have overcome "infidels" have erected shrines to their victories on the sites they have taken. We all tend to do so. And here God asserts his presence and victory over Baal.
How about Gideon and his fears? It is no great surprise that he would be shy about breaking the altar, cutting down the Asherah, and making the offering. It is no great surprise that he would expect the townspeople to execute him. However, he sees that the very God who gave him a command made him able to keep that command. The very God who called him brave has given him tasks and enabled him to do them. So what do we make of his escapade with the fleece? We can only assume Gideon is quite like we are. We doubt. We are uncertain that the Lord will actually do in and with us what he wishes to do. Like Gideon, we have no actual good reason to doubt, but we do it anyway.
Take courage! The Lord will show that he is always able to do according to his decrees. He will never fail in his purposes. He has asserted his authority over the very things we cannot control, sin, death, the grave. Let us look to Jesus, then, the one who has risen victorious, the Lord who himself is our righteousness, who will never leave us or forsake us.
As we read in Judges today we see yet again that Gideon is, in fact, very humble in his own estimation. God calls him to stir up the community by destroying the altar to Baal and the Asherah in his community. He does so, though at night, out of fear of the rest of the community. This brings opposition from the townspeople, but they decide to let Baal reap vengeance on Gideon. In other words, if Baal is really a god, he will take care of himself. The whole situation, of course, unnerves Gideon. We'll return to that in a moment.
What are we to make of the offering that Gideon makes on the altar? He has torn down the altar to Baal and on the rubble, he makes an offering of two of his father's bulls, a burnt offering to the Lord. This move shows that God has overcome his enemy. He has reduced the enemy to rubble and is erecting a monument to his victory on the site itself. This practice has continued throughout history. We can see it in architecture, where parts of buildings conquered by one culture are used to construct the conquerors' buildings. For instance, there's a famous cathedral in Spain which has a Moorish minaret inside the dome, left intact, but covered by the victorious Christians. Likewise, Islamic people who have overcome "infidels" have erected shrines to their victories on the sites they have taken. We all tend to do so. And here God asserts his presence and victory over Baal.
How about Gideon and his fears? It is no great surprise that he would be shy about breaking the altar, cutting down the Asherah, and making the offering. It is no great surprise that he would expect the townspeople to execute him. However, he sees that the very God who gave him a command made him able to keep that command. The very God who called him brave has given him tasks and enabled him to do them. So what do we make of his escapade with the fleece? We can only assume Gideon is quite like we are. We doubt. We are uncertain that the Lord will actually do in and with us what he wishes to do. Like Gideon, we have no actual good reason to doubt, but we do it anyway.
Take courage! The Lord will show that he is always able to do according to his decrees. He will never fail in his purposes. He has asserted his authority over the very things we cannot control, sin, death, the grave. Let us look to Jesus, then, the one who has risen victorious, the Lord who himself is our righteousness, who will never leave us or forsake us.
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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogger.com
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